FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10, rule 13)
“INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM”
SONY CORPORATION, of 1-7-1, Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo
108-0075, Japan
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in
which it is to be performed.
2
Description
Title of Invention
INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE, AND INFORMATION 5 PROCESSING SYSTEM
Technical Field
[0001]
The present technology relates to an information processing method, an
10 information processing device, and an information processing system, and
particularly to an information processing method, an information processing device,
and an information processing system capable of providing an environment suitable
for a service.
15 Background Art
[0002]
In conventional digital television receivers, the functions specific to a digital
television receiver, such as display of an icon as user interface, and display of items
of an option menu, as well as the functions specific to a browser such as an action
20 corresponding to manipulation by a remote controller, reading of secure sockets layer
(SSL) certificate on the browser, and setting of the background color of the browser,
are decided by software of the digital television receiver. To change these functions,
the software needs to be updated by a user, for example.
[0003]
25 To achieve this, a technology that changes the user interface displayed on
the digital television receiver by means of information from an external device,
without updating the software, is proposed (for example, refer to Patent Literatures 1
and 2).
30 Citation List
Patent Literature
3
[0004]
Patent Literature 1: JP 2010-237771A
Patent Literature 2: JP 2008-67356A
Summary 5 of Invention
Technical Problem
[0005]
By the way, in recent years, when a network service (hereinafter, simply
referred to as a service) such as moving pictures, music, online stores, and news, are
10 provided by utilizing a browser of a television receiver, it is required to provide an
environment suitable for the service, i.e., to change the functions of the television
receiver and the browser for each service.
[0006]
However, in the technology of Patent Literatures 1 and 2 the functions of the
15 television receiver and the browser are unchangeable for each service.
[0007]
In addition, although it is possible to change the functions of the television
receiver and the browser by updating the software, the software for each service
needs to be prepared, and thus the degree of freedom in changing the functions is not
20 high.
[0008]
The present technology is made in view of such situation, and aims at
providing an environment suitable for a service more easily.
25 Solution to Problem
[0009]
According to the first aspect of the present technology, there is provided an
information processing method performed by an information processing device that
includes an information acquisition unit configured to acquire, from a server
30 connected via a network, information prepared for each service provided via a
network, the information being setting information representing a setting relevant to
4
a function of an application used in utilization of the service, and an application
control unit configured to control activation of the application in accordance with the
setting represented by the acquired setting information, the information processing
method including acquiring, from the server connected via the network, information
prepared for each service provided via the network, the information 5 being setting
information representing a setting relevant to a function of an application used in
utilization of the service, and controlling activation of the application in accordance
with the setting represented by the acquired setting information.
[0010]
10 The setting information may include information representing a setting
relevant to a function of a browser, and the information processing device may
control activation of the browser in accordance with the setting represented by the
acquired setting information.
[0011]
15 The setting information may include information representing a setting
relevant to a user interface of the information processing device, and the information
processing device may control the user interface of the information processing device
in accordance with the setting represented by the acquired setting information.
[0012]
20 The information processing device may control activation of the browser in
accordance with the setting represented by the setting information, if the acquired
setting information is correct setting information.
[0013]
According to another aspect of the present technology, there is provided an
25 information processing device including an information acquisition unit configured
to acquire, from a server connected via a network, information prepared for each
service provided via a network, the information being setting information
representing a setting relevant to a function of an application used in utilization of
the service, and an application control unit configured to control activation of the
30 application in accordance with the setting represented by the acquired setting
information.
5
[0014]
According to another aspect of the present technology, there is provided an
information processing system including an information processing device and a
server, the information processing device and the server being connected with each
other via a network. The information processing device includes 5 an information
acquisition unit configured to acquire, from the server, information prepared for each
service provided via a network, the information being setting information
representing a setting relevant to a function of an application used in utilization of
the service, and an application control unit configured to control activation of the
10 application in accordance with the setting represented by the acquired setting
information.
[0015]
In one aspect of the present technology, information prepared for each
service which is provided via a network is acquired from a server connected via a
15 network. The information is setting information representing a setting relevant to a
function of an application used in utilization of the service. The activation of the
application is controlled in accordance with the setting represented by the acquired
setting information.
20 Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0016]
According to one aspect of the present technology, a service suitable for the
environment is provided more easily.
25 Brief Description of Drawings
[0017]
[FIG. 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of one
embodiment of an information processing system to which the present technology is
applied.
30 [FIG. 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a server.
[FIG. 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a digital
6
television receiver.
[FIG. 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary functional configuration
of a digital television receiver.
[FIG. 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart describing a browser activation process.
[FIG. 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary display 5 of a service list.
[FIG. 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration file.
[FIG. 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a browser set by a
configuration file.
[FIG. 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a browser set by a
10 configuration file.
[FIG. 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a browser set by a
configuration file.
Description of Embodiments
15 [0018]
Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present technology will be described
with reference to the drawings.
[0019]
[Exemplary Configuration of Information Processing System]
20 FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of one
embodiment of an information processing system to which the present technology is
applied.
[0020]
In the information processing system of FIG. 1, a server 11 and a digital
25 television receiver 12 are connected via a network 13 such as the Internet or the like.
[0021]
A server 11 stores information relevant to services such as moving pictures,
music, online stores, and news provided to the digital television receiver 12 by
various service providers. The server 11 is managed, for example, by a
30 manufacturer of the digital television receiver 12, an organization controlling the
service providers, or the like.
7
[0022]
The digital television receiver 12 receives digital television broadcast waves
transmitted from a television broadcast station to provide a user with television
programs, as well as provides the user with services provided by the service
providers via the network 13. During this, the digital television receiver 5 12 acquires
information corresponding to the provided services from the server 11, and provides
the user with the services in accordance with a setting based on the information.
[0023]
[Exemplary Configuration of Server]
10 FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary configuration of the server 11. The server
11 is configured, for example, by a personal computer, and the configuration can be a
configuration like a personal computer.
[0024]
The server 11 is configured to include a central processing unit (CPU) 31, a
15 read only memory (ROM) 32, a random access memory (RAM) 33, a bus 34, an
input and output interface 35, an input unit 36, an output unit 37, a storage unit 38, a
communication unit 39, and a drive 40.
[0025]
In the server 11, the CPU 31, the ROM 32, and the RAM 33 are mutually
20 connected by the bus 34. Further, the bus 34 is connected to the input and output
interface 35. The input and output interface 35 is connected to the input unit 36
composed of a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, and the like; the output unit 37
composed of a display, a speaker, and the like; a storage unit 38 composed of a hard
disk, a non-volatile memory, and the like; the communication unit 39 composed of a
25 network interface and the like; and the drive 40 for driving a removable medium 41
such as a magnetic disk, an optical disc, a magneto-optical disk, and a semiconductor
memory.
[0026]
The storage unit 38 stores information relevant to the services provided by
30 the service providers, and the information is supplied to the digital television receiver
12 via the communication unit 39 and the network 13.
8
[0027]
[Exemplary Configuration of Digital Television Receiver]
FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary configuration of the digital television
receiver 12.
5 [0028]
A CPU 51 executes various processes in accordance with programs recorded
in a ROM 52, or programs loaded from a storage unit 60 into a RAM 53. The RAM
53 also stores necessary data for the CPU 51 in executing various processes and the
like as appropriate.
10 [0029]
The CPU 51, the ROM 52, and the RAM 53 are mutually connected via a
bus 54. This bus 54 is also connected to an input and output interface 55.
[0030]
The input and output interface 55 is connected to a demultiplexer 59, a
15 moving picture experts group (MPEG) decode unit 61, and the storage unit 60
composed of a hard disk and the like.
[0031]
A tuner unit 57 receives the digital television broadcast waves transmitted
via an antenna 56 from the channel (television broadcast station corresponding to the
20 channel) selected by the user from among a plurality of channels, and supplies the
digital television broadcast waves to a descrambler 58.
[0032]
The descrambler 58 descrambles a transport stream supplied from the tuner
unit 57 if necessary, and supplies the transport stream to the demultiplexer 59.
25 [0033]
The demultiplexer 59 separates video packets and audio packets of a desired
program from the transport stream supplied from the descrambler 58, and supplies
the video packets and the audio packets to the MPEG decode unit 61 via the input
and output interface 55.
30 [0034]
The MPEG decode unit 61 decodes the supplied packets by MPEG method,
9
and converts the packets to analog signals (a video signal and an audio signal). The
MPEG decode unit 61 supplies the generated video signal to a display unit 62, and
supplies the audio signal to an audio output unit 63.
[0035]
The display unit 62 displays the supplied video signal as 5 a video image, and
the audio output unit 63 outputs the audio signal corresponding to the video image
(audio signal supplied by the MPEG decode unit 61) as sound.
[0036]
The input and output interface 55 is also provided with an input unit 64 for
10 inputting a command from the user, and a communication unit 65 for executing a
communication process via the network 13 including the Internet.
[0037]
The input and output interface 55 is also connected to a drive 66 if necessary,
and is equipped with the removable medium 67 which is a magnetic disk, an optical
15 disc, a magneto-optical disk, a semiconductor memory or the like, as appropriate.
The computer programs read from those are installed in the storage unit 60 if
necessary.
[0038]
Also, the computer programs can be received by the communication unit 65
20 via a wired or wireless transmission medium, in order to be installed in the storage
unit 60. In addition, the computer programs can be pre-installed in the ROM 52 or
the storage unit 60.
[0039]
Note that the computer programs executed by the digital television receiver
25 12 may be processes executed sequentially in the order described in the present
specification, or may be programs in which processes are executed parallelly or at a
necessary timing such as a timing when called.
[0040]
[Exemplary Functional Configuration of Digital Television Receiver]
30 FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary functional configuration of sections relating
to the present technology in the digital television receiver 12.
10
[0041]
The digital television receiver 12 of FIG. 4 is composed of a display unit 62,
an input unit 64, a communication unit 65, an information acquisition unit 81, an
application control unit 82, and a browser 83.
5 [0042]
Note that, in the digital television receiver 12 of FIG. 4, elements that have a
similar function to the elements provided in the digital television receiver 12 of FIG.
3 are given the same names and the same reference signs, and descriptions are
omitted as appropriate.
10 [0043]
The information acquisition unit 81 acquires various types of information
from the server 11 via the communication unit 65 in response to the manipulation
signal corresponding to the manipulation input (command) of the user from the input
unit 64, and supplies the information to the application control unit 82.
15 [0044]
The application control unit 82 controls the activation of various types of
applications of the digital television receiver 12 on the basis of information from the
information acquisition unit 81 and the manipulation signal from the input unit 64.
Also, the application control unit 82 includes a display control unit 82a and a
20 browser control unit 82b.
[0045]
The display control unit 82a controls display of the display unit 62 on the
basis of the information from the information acquisition unit 81.
[0046]
25 The browser control unit 82b controls the activation of the browser 83 on
the basis of the information from the information acquisition unit 81 and the
manipulation signal from the input unit 64.
[0047]
The browser 83 is what is called a web browser, which is one of various
30 types of the applications of the digital television receiver 12. The browser 83 is
activated by the control of the browser control unit 82b, acquires various types of
11
content provided by the service providers as services via the network 13 and the
communication unit 65, and causes the display unit 62 to display the content. Also,
the browser 83 calls other applications by the control of the browser control unit 82b
based on the manipulation signal from the input unit 64.
5 [0048]
[Browser Activation Process of Digital Television Receiver]
Next, with reference to a flowchart of FIG. 5, description will be made of
the browser activation process by the digital television receiver 12.
[0049]
10 In step S11, the input unit 64 determines whether or not the activation of the
Internet content application, i.e., the web browser is selected, on the basis of the
manipulation signal in response to the user's manipulation of the remote controller.
[0050]
The process of step S11 is repeated until the activation of the Internet
15 content application is selected. If it is determined that the activation of the Internet
content application is selected, the input unit 64 supplies the information to that
effect to the information acquisition unit 81, and the process proceeds to step S12.
[0051]
In step S12, the information acquisition unit 81 acquires service list
20 information from the server 11 via the communication unit 65 and the network 13 on
the basis of the information from the input unit 64, and supplies the service list
information to the display control unit 82a.
[0052]
The service list information is information for causing the display unit 62 to
25 display a service list which is a list of the services providable to the digital television
receiver 12. The service list information is prepared for countries, regions,
languages and the like, for example. In other words, the services specific to
countries, regions, languages and the like are provided to the digital television
receiver 12.
30 [0053]
In step S13, the display control unit 82a causes the display unit 62 to display
12
the service list on the basis of the service list information from the information
acquisition unit 81.
[0054]
FIG. 6 illustrates an example of the service list displayed on the display unit
5 62.
[0055]
As illustrated in FIG. 6, the icon 101 of the service A, the icon 102 of the
service B, and the icon 103 of the service C, which are providable to the digital
television receiver 12, are displayed on the display unit 62 as the service list.
10 [0056]
In step S14, the input unit 64 determines whether or not any of the services
providable to the digital television receiver 12, i.e., any of the icons 101 to 103 in the
service list of FIG. 6 is selected, on the basis of the manipulation signal in response
to the user's manipulation of the remote controller.
15 [0057]
The process of step S14 is repeated until any of the services is selected. If
it is determined that any of the services is selected, the input unit 64 supplies
information to that effect to the information acquisition unit 81, and the process
proceeds to step S15.
20 [0058]
In step S15, the information acquisition unit 81 acquires the setting
information of the selected service from the server 11 via the communication unit 65
and the network 13 on the basis of the information from the input unit 64, and
supplies the setting information to the display control unit 82a and the browser
25 control unit 82b. Also, at this time, the information acquisition unit 81 requests the
activation of the browser 83 to the browser control unit 82b.
[0059]
The setting information is information prepared for each service, and is
information representing the setting relevant to the function of the application used in
30 utilizing the service. Specifically, the setting information includes information
representing the setting relevant to the function of the browser 83 and the user
13
interface of the digital television receiver 12.
[0060]
Here, with reference to FIG. 7, description will be made of an example of a
configuration file stored in the server 11 as the setting information.
5 [0061]
This configuration file is described in accordance with a versatile
description method, and, for example, is described in the extensible markup language
(XML) format.
[0062]
10 At lines 1 to 7 in the configuration file illustrated in FIG. 7, the setting
relevant to the function of the browser is described.
[0063]
The tag at line 1 represents the setting relevant to the display of
the browser. In the tag, the element bgcolor represents the background
15 color of the browser, and "#000000" representing black is set in the example of FIG.
7. The element update_delay represents the waiting time from updating the display
of the browser to displaying the content which is to be displayed next, and "5000"
representing 5000 msec is set in the example of FIG. 7. The element highlight
represents presence or absence of the highlighted display at the focus given to an
20 item on the browser, and "0" representing the absence of the highlighted display at
the focus is set in the example of FIG. 7.
[0064]
The tag at line 2 represents the setting of the User-Agent
header included in a hyper text transfer protocol (HTTP) request which the browser
25 transmits to the provision source of a service when displaying the web page. In the
tag, %model1 represents the model name of the digital television
receiver 12, and %version represents the version of the software installed in the
digital television receiver 12. Also, %country1 represents a country,
and %language represents the language that is used when the browser displays the
30 web page.
[0065]
14
The tag at line 3 represents the setting of the resolution of the
browser. In the general digital television receiver, the resolution of Full HD model
is 1920 × 1080, but the suitable resolution sometimes differs depending on the
service. Specifically, for example, the web page of a certain service has a resolution
of 1280 × 720, and the moving picture content of a certain service 5 has a resolution of
960 × 540. Accordingly, the resolution suitable for the service is set to the
tag. In the example of FIG. 7, w="960" h="540" is set which
represents the resolution of 960 × 540.
[0066]
10 The tag at line 4 represents the setting of the key code assigned
to the key of the remote controller with which the user performs manipulation input
to the browser. In the past, the browser activated on the digital television receiver
allows only the manipulation inputs by the up-down-left-right key and the
confirmation key of the remote controller. In the case where the moving picture
15 content is provided as a service, if the browser transmits the key codes for instructing
play, rewind, and fast forward to the provision source of a service when the
manipulation input is performed using the play key, the rewind key, and the fast
forward key of the remote controller, the user can watch the moving picture content
without a feeling of strangeness. In the tag, the element RTN
20 represents the key code transmitted to the provision source of a service when the
return key of the remote controller is manipulated, and "20" is set to represent the
key code of number 20 in the example of FIG. 7. Also, "1" described between the
start tag and the end tag represents that the key codes set in the tag are
all effective.
25 [0067]
The tag at line 5 represents the setting of the image quality of the
image displayed on the browser. For example, a large brightness is suitable when
moving picture content is watched on the browser, and the brightness for the moving
picture content is not needed when text content is browsed on the browser.
30 Accordingly, an image quality suitable for the service is set on the tag. In
the example of FIG. 7, mode="1" representing an image quality suitable for moving
15
pictures, is set.
[0068]
The tag at line 6 represents the setting relevant to the
certificate for conducting the client authentication. In the tag, the
element pw represents a password necessary for the client 5 authentication, and
"password" is set in the example of FIG. 7. Also, the tag at line 7
represents a setting relevant to the certificate for conducting the server authentication
of the provision source of a service.
[0069]
10 Also, in the configuration file illustrated in FIG. 7, the setting relevant to the
function of the digital television receiver 12, particularly a user interface, is
described at line 9 and line 10 sandwiched by the start tag at line 8 and the
end tag at line 11.
[0070]
15 The tag at line 9 represents the setting relevant to the items
displayed on the option menu of the digital television receiver 12 and the functions
of the items. In the tag, the element bookmark represents presence or
absence of display of the item of the bookmark on the option menu, and in the
example of FIG. 7, "1" representing the presence of display of the item of the
20 bookmark is set. The element urlentry represents availability or unavailability of
input of a URL to a URL (uniform resource locater) input unit (address bar) of the
option menu, and in the example of FIG. 7, "1" representing availability of input of a
URL is set. The element zoom represents presence or absence of display of the
item of the zoom display of the option menu, and in the example of FIG. 7, "0"
25 representing absence of display of the item of the zoom display is set. The element
td represents presence or absence of display of the item of the 3D menu in the option
menu, and in the example of FIG. 7, "1" representing the presence of display of the
item of the 3D menu is set. Also, "1" described between the start tag and the end
tag represents that the content set in the tag is all effective.
30 [0071]
The tag at line 10 represents presence or absence of display of
16
a busy icon representing that the browser is reading the web page (in
communication). In the example of FIG. 7, "1" described between the start tag and
the end tag represents the presence of display of the busy icon.
[0072]
Note that the above configuration file may include 5 only information
representing the setting relevant to the functions of the browser, and may include
only information representing the setting relevant to the user interface of the digital
television receiver.
[0073]
10 Now, back to the flowchart of FIG. 5, in step S16, the browser control unit
82b determines whether or not the setting information from the information
acquisition unit 81 is correct setting information. Specifically, the browser control
unit 82b checks rightfulness of the information, i.e., whether the configuration file
from the information acquisition unit 81 is described in accordance with the XML
15 format, whether the activation request of the browser 83 from the information
acquisition unit 81 is rightful, and the like.
[0074]
If it is determined that the setting information is correct in step S16, the
process proceeds to step S17, and the browser control unit 82b activates the browser
20 83 in accordance with the setting (setting relevant to the functions of the browser)
represented by the setting information (configuration file) from the information
acquisition unit 81. Simultaneously, the display control unit 82a controls display of
the display unit 62 in accordance with the setting (setting relevant to the user
interface of the digital television receiver 12) represented by the setting information
25 (configuration file) from the information acquisition unit 81.
[0075]
On the other hand, if it is determined that the setting information is not
correct in step S16, the process proceeds to step S18, and the browser control unit
82b discards the setting information (configuration file) from the information
30 acquisition unit 81, and activates the browser 83 in accordance with the
predetermined (default) setting. Simultaneously, the display control unit 82a
17
discards the setting information (configuration file) from the information acquisition
unit 81, and controls the display of the display unit 62 in accordance with the
predetermined (default) setting.
[0076]
FIG. 8 illustrates an example of the browser set by the 5 configuration file,
when the icon 101 is selected, in other words a service A is selected, in the service
list of FIG. 6.
[0077]
When the service A is selected as illustrated in the left side of FIG. 8, the
10 configuration file is acquired from the server 11. The configuration file sets the
image quality of the image displayed on the browser to the image quality suitable for
the moving pictures, the display of the item of the 3D menu in the option menu to be
present, and the display of the busy icon to be present.
[0078]
15 As a result, in the display unit 62, as illustrated in the right side of FIG. 8,
the item of the 3D menu are displayed in the option menu 110, and the busy icon 111
is displayed too, and the browser that provides the content of the image quality
suitable for the moving pictures is displayed.
[0079]
20 FIG. 9 illustrates an example of the browser set by the configuration file,
when the icon 102 is selected, in other words a service B is selected, in the service
list of FIG. 6.
[0080]
When the service B is selected, as illustrated in the left side of FIG. 9, the
25 configuration file is acquired from the server 11. The configuration file sets the key
code transmitted to the provision source of a service when the return key of the
remote controller is manipulated to number 20, the display of the item in the option
menu to be absent, and the display of the busy icon to be absent.
[0081]
30 As a result, in the display unit 62 as illustrated in the right side of FIG. 9,
any item is not displayed in the option menu 110, and the busy icon 111 is not
18
displayed either, and the browser that transmits the key code of number 20 to the
provision source of a service when the return key is manipulated is displayed.
[0082]
FIG. 10 illustrates an example of the browser set by the configuration file,
when the icon 103 is selected, in other words the service C is selected, 5 in the service
list of FIG. 6.
[0083]
When the service C is selected as illustrated in the left side of FIG. 10, the
configuration file is acquired from the server 11. The configuration file sets the
10 background color of the browser in black, and the resolution of the browser at 1280 ×
720.
[0084]
As a result, as illustrated in the right side of FIG. 10, the browser, of which
the background color is black and the resolution is 1280 × 720, is displayed on the
15 display unit 62.
[0085]
According to the above process, since the setting information of the selected
service is acquired, and the application used in utilization of the service is activated
in accordance with the setting represented by the acquired setting information, the
20 environment suitable for the service is provided. Specifically, since the setting
information includes, for example, information representing the setting relevant to
the function of the browser and the user interface of the digital television receiver,
the service is provided by the browser and the user interface customized for each
service.
25 [0086]
Also, even when a providable service is added or the setting of the browser
at the time of providing existing services is changed after the digital television
receiver is distributed in the market, it is sufficient to change the setting information
on the server side, and it is unnecessary to provide and update software for each
30 service, enabling the environment suitable for the service to be provided more easily.
[0087]
19
For example, although the setting information of each service includes the
setting relevant to the certificate, it is unnecessary to update the software even when
the period of validity of the certificate is expired, and the certificate is updated only
by changing the setting information of the server side.
5 [0088]
Note that, since the setting information (configuration file) is described by
the versatile description method, the setting information may be extended to set not
only the function of the browser and the user interface of the digital television
receiver which are described above, but also other function of the browser and
10 functions of various applications executed on the digital television receiver.
[0089]
For example, another application that is not activated from the browser may
be activated depending on a service. Also, the reproducible file format of content
may be switched for each service, in such a manner that, for example, only the
15 content of mp4 format is allowed to be reproduced for a certain service. Further, a
setting of the image quality other than the setting of the image quality described
above may be conducted for each service.
[0090]
Also, for each service, the character size displayed on the browser may be
20 changed, and the storage utilization may be limited.
[0091]
Further, depending on the service, two screen display may be allowed, and
the television broadcasting may be displayed in a partial region, for example a lower
right region, of the display unit during the activation of the browser.
25 [0092]
Note that the embodiment of the present technology is not limited to the
above embodiment, but various alterations are possible within the scope not
departing from the spirit of the present technology. For example, the present
technology is not limited to the digital television receiver, but may be applied to the
30 electronic devices that can provide network services, such as a BD player for playing
a blu-ray (R) disc (BD), a cellular phone such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a
20
gaming machine such as the Play Station (registered trademark of Sony Computer
Entertainment Inc.), and a personal computer.
[0093]
Also, the present technology may take a configuration of the cloud
computing in which one function is shared by a plurality of 5 devices via a network
and is processed in cooperation.
[0094]
Also, each step described in the above flowchart may be executed by one
device, and may be shared and executed by a plurality of devices.
10 [0095]
Further, where one step includes a plurality of processes, the plurality of
processes included in the one step may be executed by one device, and may be
shared and executed by a plurality of devices.
[0096]
15 Additionally, the present technology may also be configured as below.
(1)
An information processing method performed by an information processing
device that includes
an information acquisition unit configured to acquire, from a server
20 connected via a network, information prepared for each service provided via a
network, the information being setting information representing a setting relevant to
a function of an application used in utilization of the service, and
an application control unit configured to control activation of the application
in accordance with the setting represented by the acquired setting information,
25 the information processing method including:
acquiring, from the server connected via the network, information prepared
for each service provided via the network, the information being setting information
representing a setting relevant to a function of an application used in utilization of
the service; and
30 controlling activation of the application in accordance with the setting
represented by the acquired setting information.
21
(2)
The information processing method according to (1), wherein
the setting information includes information representing a setting relevant
to a function of a browser, and
the information processing device controls activation 5 of the browser in
accordance with the setting represented by the acquired setting information.
(3)
The information processing method according to (1) or (2), wherein
the setting information includes information representing a setting relevant
10 to a user interface of the information processing device, and
the information processing device controls the user interface of the
information processing device in accordance with the setting represented by the
acquired setting information.
(4)
15 The information processing method according to any one of (1) to (3),
wherein
the information processing device controls activation of the application in
accordance with the setting represented by the setting information, if the acquired
setting information is correct setting information.
20 (5)
An information processing device including:
an information acquisition unit configured to acquire, from a server
connected via a network, information prepared for each service provided via a
network, the information being setting information representing a setting relevant to
25 a function of an application used in utilization of the service; and
an application control unit configured to control activation of the application
in accordance with the setting represented by the acquired setting information.
(6)
An information processing system including an information processing
30 device and a server, the information processing device and the server being
connected with each other via a network, wherein
22
the information processing device includes
an information acquisition unit configured to acquire, from the server,
information prepared for each service provided via a network, the information being
setting information representing a setting relevant to a function of an application
used in utilization 5 of the service, and
an application control unit configured to control activation of the application
in accordance with the setting represented by the acquired setting information.
Reference Signs List
10 [0097]
11 server
12 digital television receiver
13 network
62 display unit
15 64 input unit
65 communication unit
81 information acquisition unit
82 application control unit
82a display control unit
20 82b browser control unit
83 browser
23
CLAIMS
Claim 1
An information processing method performed by an information processing
device that includes
an information acquisition unit configured to acquire, 5 from a server
connected via a network, information prepared for each service provided via a
network, the information being setting information representing a setting relevant to
a function of an application used in utilization of the service, and
an application control unit configured to control activation of the application
10 in accordance with the setting represented by the acquired setting information,
the information processing method comprising:
acquiring, from the server connected via the network, information prepared
for each service provided via the network, the information being setting information
representing a setting relevant to a function of an application used in utilization of
15 the service; and
controlling activation of the application in accordance with the setting
represented by the acquired setting information.
Claim 2
20 The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein
the setting information includes information representing a setting relevant
to a function of a browser, and
the information processing device controls activation of the browser in
accordance with the setting represented by the acquired setting information.
25
Claim 3
The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein
the setting information includes information representing a setting relevant
to a user interface of the information processing device, and
30 the information processing device controls the user interface of the
information processing device in accordance with the setting represented by the
24
acquired setting information.
Claim 4
The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein
the information processing device controls activation of 5 the application in
accordance with the setting represented by the setting information, if the acquired
setting information is correct setting information.
Claim 5
10 An information processing device comprising:
an information acquisition unit configured to acquire, from a server
connected via a network, information prepared for each service provided via a
network, the information being setting information representing a setting relevant to
a function of an application used in utilization of the service; and
15 an application control unit configured to control activation of the application
in accordance with the setting represented by the acquired setting information.
Claim 6
An information processing system comprising an information processing
20 device and a server, the information processing device and the server being
connected with each other via a network, wherein
the information processing device includes
an information acquisition unit configured to acquire, from the server,
information prepared for each service provided via a network, the information being
25 setting information representing a setting relevant to a function of an application
used in utilization of the service, and
an application control unit configured to control activation of the application
in accordance with the setting represented by the acquired setting information.